Parent Handbook

Principal's Welcome

Welcome to St Canice’s Primary and to our home here in the Upper Blue Mountains. I am proud to be Principal at this community-orientated school where there is a committed team of staff that work together with parents, the parish and the local community, to allow our children to experience ‘growth through love and learning’.

Every child is unique and has special talents and skills, and we encourage and develop those here at St Canice’s. We want our students to learn about the world, the Gospel and life, in a dynamic, meaningful and challenging way in a happy and safe environment.

Contemporary learning and teaching is at the forefront for our school and as such we have recently refurbished our classrooms and offer a wide range of technology from laptops to iPads and a wireless environment to support learning.

We actively encourage play in our outdoor areas consisting of grassed playgrounds, basketball and handball courts, sandpits and even a cubbyhouse. Budding musicians and media personalities can use the media workspace and record music and there is a well-stocked library to encourage readers.

I invite you to read through our school website, and better still, come along and meet us; we are always happy to show families around.

Building Child Safe Communities

"Building Child Safe Communities" is a new initiative developed by Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta that enhances our commitment to ensuring the safety and well being of all students in our care. It is now a requirement that all volunteers complete an online undertaking form that confirms expectations in relation to behaviour whilst volunteering at schools, Catholic Out of School Hours Care and Catholic Early Learning Centres. This undertaking form also seeks to determine the suitability of volunteers by requiring them to declare that they do not have a criminal history involving children.

Volunteers - please click on 'Building Child Safe Communities - Undertaking for Volunteers' or access the form via the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta public webpage http://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/home then click on "Child Protection Training Forms" (halfway down page on the right hand side).

Then click on Volunteer Form (halfway down page)

You will receive a confirmation email once the form has been submitted. Your details are maintained confidentially in a central database and a copy of your confirmation is emailed to the location where you are volunteering.

Volunteer Training, Mandatory Reporting & Confidentiality

All parents/volunteers who wish to offer assistance in the classrooms or other school related activity, must ensure that they complete the Catholic Education Office’s Building Child Safe Communities training module. This training is required every two years and is conducted on-line.

Volunteers are required to report any concerns about the safety, welfare or well-being of a child directly to the Principal/Assistant Principal.

All volunteers have an obligation to maintain strict confidentiality regarding any student and to maintain appropriate volunteer – child boundaries at all times.

Enrolment Policy

St Canice’s follows the Parramatta Diocesan Enrolment Procedures in Catholic Systemic Schools (2002). This document states that when demand exceeds numbers of places available, priority for enrolment will be given first to ‘children of Catholic families who live within the geographical boundaries of the parish for which the school was established, on which the school depends or live outside the parish geographic boundaries but regularly attend such a parish’. This document can be obtained from the school office or is available on the Parramatta Catholic Education Office website.

The policy of the Diocese of Parramatta allows children to start school in the year they turn 5 before July 31st.

Applications for enrolment are lodged at the school office with an application form. Interviews are conducted by the Principal or Assistant Principal. All applicants are informed in writing regarding the acceptance of their child into the school.

Register of Enrolments

In accordance with Department of Education regulations, when a student under 15 years of age leaves school with an unknown destination the school has a responsibility to inform the local area DET School Office of the name and last known contact details for the student concerned. Parents are reminded that simply removing a student, without forwarding a school destination, will trigger this response.

Diocesan School Fees

Thirty day accounts are generated at the beginning of terms 1, 2 & 3 leaving the 4th term free. Payments in instalments, e.g. weekly or fortnightly, are acceptable but arrangements in writing need to be given to the office. If at anytime you are having difficulty with payment please do not hesitate to make an appointment to speak with the Principal. It is expected that all fees are paid within the 30 days unless other arrangements have been made.

Diocesan Building Levy

School Building and Maintenance Levy assists all schools throughout the diocese. Parents are notified in December about the levy for the following year. Information about Fees and Building Levy can be obtained from the school office or on the CEDP Website.

Payment

Payments may be made by cash, eftpos, cheque or credit at the school, or by Post Billpay or Bpay.

All money sent into school must be in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name, class and reason for payment with attention to the School Office.

General Contribution Fee

General Contribution Fee is $465 per child.

It covers all school-based fees such as:

excursions - with the exception of overnight camps, which will be billed accordingly

Allergy Awareness

As part of our awareness and care for children who have a life threatening allergy to eggs, nuts and products containing nut traces, we ask that everyone be thoughtful when bringing snacks and lunches from home. Foods to avoid are eggs, peanut butter, Nutella, nut muesli bars and biscuits or cakes that contain nuts or nut traces.

These precautions are in place for the safety of children in our care, who can go into anaphylactic shock and which can result in sudden death if they come into contact with, or ingest, even the smallest amount of allergy-related foods. We ask that you discuss this with your family and emphasise the serious worry these families face daily.

We thank you in anticipation of your support.

Ambulance Cover

St Canice’s is covered for ambulance transport, if required, for any student whom is injured whilst involved in school related activities.

Animals on Site

To ensure the safety of students animals, such as family pets, are not to be brought onto the school site. Animals can only be brought onto the site for educational purposes, with the approval of the Principal.

The school follows the NSW Department of Education and Training Animals in Schools (2001) animal welfare guidelines for teachers.

Assemblies and Masses

Families & friends are always most welcome to join the children for Friday Prayer/ Assembly. The children attend Mass on a regular basis. Dates and times are advertised in the newsletter and calendar of events.

Assessment and Reporting

Teachers employ a variety of techniques and strategies to monitor children’s development of skills and knowledge. These include observations and written assessments, and statewide assessments, such as the National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

Book Club

Ashton Scholastic has a regular monthly order placed through the Book Club's website. Brochures are sent home with the children according to the age groups. These books are offered at very reasonable prices and promote reading. Bonus points from these sales are awarded to the school to purchase library resources.

Bus Travel Opal Card

All students in the Infant classes are eligible for free bus travel. Primary children must live outside a 1.6 kilometre radius from school, to be eligible for free bus travel. Application information sheets are available through school office, or complete the School Student Transport Scheme application at Transport for NSW.

Timetables are available from Blue Mountains Bus Company on 4751 1077.

Complaints and Grievances Policies

The school has formal written protocols in place to address complaints and grievances. These protocols are in line with the CEO Compliant Handling policy. See our Policies Page of our website.

Confidentiality

All information held at the school is treated as private and confidential. Children’s files are accessible only to the relevant staff and information will not be divulged to anyone else without your consent.

Emergency Drill Procedures

All students and staff take part in regular emergency drills to ensure the safety of all on school premises.

Excursions and Incursions

Students take part in excursions associated with a topic of work being studied. Senior classes also participate in extended excursions that require overnight accommodation – Years 5 and 6 camp and excursion to Canberra.

The students also take part in incursions. These take place at school and are covered by the General Contribution Fee. All incursions are linked explicitly to units of study being undertaken by the children.

Library

Students have access to the library for book borrowing and learning. The children are encouraged to borrow books that are related to their learning while also experiencing books that are simply read for enjoyment.

Lost Property

All items of clothing must be marked with your child’s full name and class. Other personal items such as drink bottles, lunch boxes and stationery should also be labeled. The school has a lost property box located on the ground floor at the Library entrance. All unclaimed items will be given to the clothing pool after a period of time. Lost items such as jewelry and money are kept in the School Office.

Messages from Parents through the School Office

Important messages from parents for their children can be communicated via the School Office. These messages frequently relate to changes to their going home routine. These notes are attached to the outside of the office bag each afternoon and are passed on to the student by the teacher.

Mobile Phones

It is preferred that children do not bring mobile phones to school. If for any reason they need to, the phone must be handed to the class teacher on arrival and collected at the end of school. The phone will be sent to the office in the message bag for the duration of the day.

Mufti Days

Now and again, the school will hold mufti-days for the children. On these days, the children wear sensible clothes, hats and closed shoes appropriate for playing on the playground.

Newsletters

This is our way of keeping you in touch with current events and information that is of importance. The school newsletter is sent home fortnightly on Mondays (odd weeks), with the eldest child in the family. It is also available on our school website where you can also sign up to receive it directly to your email inbox each week. Please take the time to read up on what’s happening in our school community.

Parent Liaison

Sr Colleen Holohan rsc, our Home-School Liaison, supports the school and local community by visiting families, conducting craft activities, ‘Seasons for Growth’, Tai Chi and a Pre-School group on Wednesday morning. Colleen works Monday through to Wednesday.

Parking

There is Staff Only parking available in the school grounds at any time during school hours. No other vehicles are to enter the school grounds or driveway for any purpose except those displaying a Disability Permit. There are adequate parking facilities in either Lurline Street or the car park, Studleigh Place adjacent to the Church in Katoomba Street. These regulations are in place for the safety of all students, parents and staff entering the school site.

Relief Teachers

When teachers are absent due to illness, in-service or family matters, qualified relief staff are employed to teach children. Where possible it is aimed to provide a degree of continuity for the class. The relief teacher will normally follow the program of the class teacher. All teachers including relief teachers undergo Child Protection screening before employment by the Diocese.

Reporting System

Parent information evenings are held early in Term 1 each year. A written report is sent home at the end of Terms 2 and 4. Half yearly interviews are conducted where the teacher and parents discuss the children’s progress. Parents have the right to request an interview at any time throughout the year. Please call the office to organise a mutually convenient time.

School Sport

The school takes part in Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country on a school, zone, diocesan & state level. The school also participates in local competitions such as the Futsal Gala Day, Basketball Gala Day and Touch Footy Day. All children are allocated a Sport House and family members are all placed in the same house.

Wentworth

Kedumbra

Blaxland

Lawson

Red

Green

Blue

Gold

Smoking

St Canice’s is a smoke-free zone; therefore smoking is not permitted in the buildings or playgrounds.

Staff Development Days

To ensure effective whole staff and school development, the Catholic Education Office allocates six (6) Professional Development Days each year. The first day of Term 1 is usually allocated to this purpose with other term dates notified in the newsletter. Children do not attend school on these Pupil Free Days. Dates are advised well in advance, in the school newsletter.

Staff Meetings

Staff Meetings are held each Tuesday afternoon commencing at 3.20pm where school based issues are discussed and professional development is provided to all teachers.

Staff Prayer

All staff gather each Tuesday morning at 8.20am for staff prayer. Staff prayer concludes at 8.35am.

Student Banking

The school, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bank, offers a scheme where students can open a "Dollarmite" account and bank through the school each Tuesday. Application forms are available at the Commonwealth Bank. These accounts offer the students a good basis for learning to manage their savings. The school benefits by a monetary value that is allocated to school resources.

Use of Photos

From time to time student photos are used in school and Catholic Education Office promotional materials. If you do not wish any photos of your child/children to be used in such instances, please notify the Principal in writing.

Whole School Prayer and Assembly

The Whole School Prayer and Assembly are held weekly on Friday at 8.45am. During this time the school community has the opportunity to gather and pray together while also celebrating other events from school and community life. Silver and Gold Awards are presented during these assemblies. All parents are welcome to attend the Whole School Prayer and Assembly each week.

If your child has special needs e.g. hearing, visual or learning difficulties, please be sure to notify the school so that arrangements can be made to better accommodate your child needs in the classroom.

The children’s health and safety are paramount to all staff members.

Medication

Medication will not be administered without written consent from the parent/caregiver. All medication is held at the office where consent forms are available. If possible, where antibiotics are to be administered, it is preferred that a dose be given at home before and immediately after school rather than during the day. For children on regular medication we ask that you bring in a letter from your doctor stating the name and dosage of medication and for what condition. All medication must be in its original packaging.

Accidents & Illness

Please keep children home if they are ill. If your child becomes sick or has an accident at school, they will be sent to the Sick Bay located in the front office. Parents are contacted if it is felt necessary that the child go home. In the case of a parent/carer being un-contactable, we will then ring the emergency person nominated on your child’s file. In the case of an emergency we will call an Ambulance first, and then contact parents. It is imperative that the school office be notified of any change in contact details.

Children With Medical Conditions

It is important that we are aware of students with asthma or severe allergies. Please notify us in writing if your child has a medical condition and their management plan. The school has an Asthma and Anaphylaxis Policy.

Under the Public Health Act and Department of Education Regulations, some common infectious diseases require children to be kept from school to prevent the spread of infection. The following periods of exclusion must be observed:

Chicken Pox

Exclude until fully recovered or at least 5 days after the eruption first appears. Lesions have crusted, there are no moist sores and the person feels well. Any child with an immune deficiency (e.g. Leukemia or receiving chemotherapy) should be excluded for their own protection.

Conjunctivitis

(Acute infectious)
Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased.

Diarrhea

Diphtheria

Exclude until medical certificate of recovery following at least two negative throat swabs, the first not less than 24 hours after cessation of antibiotic treatment and the other 48 hours later. Exclude family/household contacts until cleared to return by an appropriate health authority.

Glandular Fever

Exclusion is not necessary, but some children are too sick to attend school.

Hepatitis

A - Exclude until receipt of a medical certificate or recovery but not before 7 days after the onset of jaundice.

B - Exclusion is not necessary.

C - Exclusion is not necessary.

Human Immunodeficiency

Virus Infection (HIV) - Exclusion is not necessary unless the person has secondary infection requiring exclusion in its own right.

Impetigo (School Sores)

Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced and sores on exposed surfaces are covered with a dressing.

Measles

Excluded for at least 4 days from the appearance of rash. Immunised contacts not excluded. Non-immunised contacts should be excluded until 14 days after the first day of appearance of rash in the last case. If non-immunised contacts are vaccinated within 72 hours of their first contact with the index case, they may return to school.

Meningitis

(Bacterial) Exclude until well.

Meningococcal Infection

Exclude until well.

Mumps

Exclude until child has fully recovered and for 9 days after the appearance of the swelling.

Poliomyelitis

Exclude for at least 14 days from onset. Readmit on a medical certificate of recovery.

Ringworm, Scabies, Pediculosis (Lice), Trachoma

Exclude until the day after the treatment has commenced.

Rubella (German Measles)

Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 4 days after the onset of the rash.

Scarlet Fever (Streptococcal Infection)

Exclude until the person has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours and the person feels well.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Exclude for 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment. Inform entire school community of the infection so that non-immunised families can take appropriate action.

Tuberculosis

Exclude until production of medical certificate from appropriate health authority.

Head Lice

Head Lice are not a life threatening concern, but they are a problem in schools all year round. Children are to be excluded from school until they have been treated. There are many products on the market for the treatment of head lice, including shampoos, lotions and electric combs.

To ensure complete eradication:

inspect hair 7-10 days after treatment. If lice or eggs are found, re-apply treatment

check other family members and treat if necessary

notify school and friends of the outbreak

wash all clothing, bed linen, towels, combs, and brushes with detergent in very hot water

items that cannot be washed, hats, stuffed toys and bike helmets can be placed in a sealed plastic bag for 8-10 days as lice and newly hatched nits cannot survive without a host.

Uniform Ordering and Availability

School uniform is compulsory and we ask that all items be purchased through our Uniform Shop to keep colours and styles consistent. If your child is not in uniform on a particular day, a written note needs to be sent to the class teacher. The school hat is an important part of the Uniform.

We have a "No School Hat - Play in the Shade" Policy.

Ordering

The Uniform Shop is located in the school office and is open Wednesdays only, during office hours 8.30 am to 3.00pm.
Alternatively, order forms may be sent home on request. As we keep only a limited number of stocked items it is advised that you order at least a term ahead to avoid disappointment. Payment must be made on collection of order. School hats and beanies are available for purchase at the office at all times.

Jewellery

Children are permitted to wear watches, stud earrings or plain sleepers. Plain rings may be worn but no costume jewellery. Nail polish is not to be worn at school. Any hair cuts or colouring is not to be extreme in nature. All hair longer than shoulder length requires to be tied back.

Grooming

All hair longer than shoulder length needs to be tied back. Hair cuts or colouring is not to be extreme in nature.

Children are supervised at St Canice’s from 8:10 am through to 3:10pm.

The school gates are opened at 7:30 am and closed at 8:40, then re-opened at 2:40 pm until 3:10 pm.

The school takes responsibility for the care and safety of pupils between the hours of 8:10 am and 3:10 pm. Children are supervised at all times. Children are required to be at school before the 8.40 a.m. bell.

After school, children are accompanied to the buses by a teacher. No child will be permitted to leave the school without written permission by a parent/caregiver.

You change your address or telephone number

It is very important that your child’s teacher and the office staff are informed immediately in order that you may be contacted in the event of an emergency.

You are requested to complete forms

Please do so immediately and return same to your child’s teacher or the office as required.

Your child is not well

Parents are asked not to send their child to school when he/she is not well. Children become very distressed when they are sick and they also run the risk of infecting the other children. Your child should be kept at home until well and, on his/her return, please send a signed note of explanation to the classroom teacher, stating the date/s of absence. Alternatively, use the Skoolbag app to submit an absentee note. If your child is well enough to return to school, but still requires medication, written notification stating dosage and the times medication is to be administered should be given to the Office Staff. Medication should be in measured doses. Similarly, children on maintenance medication also need to provide the school with full details.

You need to collect your child early

Please send a note to your child’s teacher and complete a form at the office before collecting your child. The completed form must be handed to the classroom teacher.

Your child loses a school uniform item

Check the lost property box in the Library Area. Please ensure that all items of clothing, and other items, are clearly marked with your child’s name.

You will be late collecting your child

Please contact the School Office by telephone no later than 2.30pm, so that a message can be passed onto your child via the class communication bag.

You need to arrange for someone else to collect your child

The school must be contacted, either in writing or by telephone, advising that someone other than yourself will be collecting your child from school.

You wish to see your child’s teacher

Please contact the School Office to organise a mutually convenient appointment time with the class teacher. Alternatively write a note requesting an appointment.